Demand for Fertility Preservation Increasing for Women

Last Updated: October 26, 2017.
The demand for fertility preservation is increasing, and methods to address it include oocyte cryopreservation and ovarian-tissue cryopreservation, according to a review article published online Oct. 25 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

THURSDAY, Oct. 26, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- The demand for fertility preservation is increasing, and methods to address it include oocyte cryopreservation and ovarian-tissue cryopreservation, according to a review article published online Oct. 25 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Indications for fertility preservation include malignant disease, particularly hematologic cancers and breast cancer; benign conditions including autoimmune and hematologic conditions as well as endometriosis and ovarian torsion; and age-related fertility decline. The researchers note that oocyte cryopreservation by vitrification provides the highest yield and is suitable for women with benign diseases, those seeking fertility preservation for personal reasons, and women with cancer if treatment can be delayed. Embryo cryopreservation requires a male partner or use of a donor sperm; cryopreservation of mature oocytes can circumvent some related ethical and legal concerns. For adolescents and women in whom cancer treatment cannot be postponed, ovarian-tissue cryopreservation is specifically indicated; however, this technique is still considered experimental.

"Improving freezing techniques, ensuring safe ovarian-tissue transportation (to provide and extend access to fertility preservation in large countries and low-resource areas), and minimizing the risks of fertility-preservation strategies in patients with cancer constitute formidable challenges for the coming decade," the authors write.